Pointers June 2017

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

This edition of Pointers looks at the issue of mental health and wellbeing amongst people involved in ministry positions within the Christian Church. Burnout is a serious condition that can affect members of the clergy and is often the cause of people leaving ministry. Church leaders face unique challenges in their daily ministry and the varied demands on their time can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. Moreover there is an expectation that their life and example should be a model to others and this brings a degree of scrutiny that may not apply to other professionals. These and other factors can result in anxiety and depression and in many cases lead to burnout. Research suggests that having a strong reliance on spiritual resources will act as a buffer to the stressors experienced in pastoral ministry; these are discussed in brief in the paper by Dr. Wilma Gallet, entitled, ‘Drawing sustenance from a strong sense of calling’. Dr. Tom Edwards provides an overview of the various aspects of burnout and outlines helpful ideas to assist members of the clergy in managing their personal health and wellbeing in the paper entitled ‘Clergy wellbeing: Strategies for the prevention and management of burnout’. In his paper entitled, ‘Passion and Sustainable Ministry’, Rev. Dr. Nigel Pegram discusses the distinctions between harmonious passion and obsessive passion. Harmonious passion will ensure an energised ministry whereas an obsessive passion can have a damaging effect on relationships and negatively impact physical, mental and even spiritual health. In ‘Falling Apart in Christian Ministry’, Pastor Bob Field shares his very raw and personal experience of burnout and recovery. Finally, in his tribute to the late Rev Dr Ken Dempsey, Dr. Philip Hughes refers to some of the conflicts that can arise in the life of the church.